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"Who Dressed You This Morning?"

I
will never forget the embarrassment I felt one Sunday morning as we
settled into “our pew” preparing for worship service. I glanced down,
only to discover I was wearing one navy shoe and one black shoe. It was
undeniably a noticeable mismatch. Since service had already begun, it
was too late to run home to change shoes. I nudged my husband and
pointed out my high-heeled blunder to him, to which he replied, “So … which one of the kids dressed you this morning?”

The
revelation of a personal fashion faux pas can quickly impart a lack of
confidence that, if unable to correct, can accompany us throughout our
entire day. The trouble zone will become our sole focus. We will find
ourselves planning our entries and exits in such a way as to minimize
exposure. Some may attempt a clever distraction or even create an excuse
to abandon their post in search of a remedy for the fashion offense.

Why
is it that it seems we are more concerned about our physical garments
than we are our spiritual garments? Perhaps we either are not aware that
we even have spiritual garments, or else we do not recognize the magnitude of their importance. Maybe we simply fail to understand that “our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the
heavenly places (Eph. 6:12)

The
Apostle Paul employed the knowledge he gained throughout his frequent
incarcerations in structuring what is known as the “armor of God”
passage. The armor and weaponry of the Roman soldier was the perfect
example of what is necessary for spiritual warfare, both defensive and
offensive. If anyone had an up close and personal examination of Roman
armor, it was Paul.

Finally,
be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the
full armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil … Therefore,
take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the
evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Eph. 6:10-13

The scripture continues in verses 14–17, entreating us to “Stand firm then, having girded your loins with truth” (Eph. 6:14). The belt was the first item the soldier put on and one of the most important pieces of armor, as it held everything together.

Applying the truth of God’s Word at the start of each day securely fastens us with power of the word of God.

“And having put on the breastplate of righteousness… ” (Eph. 6:14). The
breastplate was designed to protect the heart of the soldier. The Bible
declares that the heart of man is prone to temptation (Matt. 26:41). Righteousness defends against the strategies of the devil.

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace … ” (Eph. 6:15). Peace
helps us to stand firmly planted on the word of God while steadying and
protecting us in our daily walk through life’s often-treacherous
places. “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me walk on
my high places” (Hab. 3:19).

“In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith, by which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one … ” (Eph. 6:16). Faith
comes by hearing the word of God. Knowing the Bible and the God of the
Bible gives us greater faith in trusting God as our protector.

“And take the helmet of salvation … ” (Eph. 6:17).
Satan attacks the mind more than any other area, attempting to cause
doubt in the assurance of our salvation. Immersing ourselves in God’s
Word as well as prayer brings a clear and discerning mind.

“And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).
The sword of the spirit is the word of God. There is authority and
power in the word of God. No weapon of the enemy can stand against it.

To
neglect one piece of armor makes us more vulnerable to the attacks of
the enemy and reduces our capacity to fully serve God. We find ourselves
rationalizing our lack of preparation, making excuses, planning
diversions, or perhaps even neglecting or abandoning our spiritual
position altogether. Our focus will be on concealing our weakness rather
than on God’s call for our lives. Being “fully dressed” spiritually frees us up to fully do what God has called us to do.

So … who dressed you this morning?

Father,
it is good for us to be dressed and equipped not only for battle, but
for the peaceful days as well, for that is the time we can become most
complacent. Your Word also reminds us that our battle is not against
man, but against rulers and powers of darkness and against the spiritual
forces of wickedness in high places revealed through the actions of man
on earth. Grant us discernment in all our circumstances. We rejoice
greatly as a child of God that You clothe us in the robe of
righteousness, which is Christ Jesus. Great is our God and worthy of all
our praise!

2 comments:

Wow! Shari this is awesome! I can't wait to get your book. We are raising our daughter and we need all the help and guidance we can get! I do not want a mini me per say! I want her to be strong and be a leader of God and it's very important to me that she and all of us walk closer with God everyday! God Bless you and your book and Family! Kerri J.

Thank you Kerri! I wish I had some to send you an autographed copy, but I am out at the moment. But yes, raising young children is an honor and a responsibility. And oh what a blessing when you see their faith begin to flourish before your eyes. God bless you and yours in the coming years you train your daughter to love the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love her neighbor as well. God bless you Kerri.

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In Lessons from the Sticker Patch, author Shari England brings inspiration and encouragement through the creative combination of the bumps and bruises of real life and real faith. Her vivid accounts from childhood through adulthood will cause you to revisit wonderful memories of your own, while laying a foundation of truth and wisdom found only in God's Word.

A Few Stories from the Book

Books are $12.00 for one. Gets cheaper as you add more books. Shipping and handling $4.00. Personalize your books for gifts by entering a note or messaging me directly through Facebook or the Contact Me tab.